Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings (Catwings Series #3)

by Ursula K. Le Guin, S. D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Overview

In the third Catwings book, cocky young Alexander Furby leaves his comfortable home to venture out into the big world one winter day--and gets stuck in a tree until Jane and her four catwing siblings help the kitten find a new home. "This (series) will appeal to early chapter-book readers . . . and cat lovers in general."--School Library Journal. Full color.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780531087015
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/28/1994
Series:	Catwings Series , #3
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 7.33(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Ursula Le Guin writes both poetry and prose, and in various modes including children's books, YA books, fantasy, science fiction and fiction. She is the author of the bestselling and award winning CATWINGS series. Three of Le Guin's titles have been finalists for The American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and among the many honors her writing has received are a National Book Award, five Hugo Awards, five Nebula Awards, and The Margaret A. Edwards Award. She lives in Oregon.

Hometown:

Portland, Oregon

Date of Birth:

October 21, 1929

Place of Birth:

Berkeley, California

Education:

B.A., Radcliffe College; M.A., Columbia University, 1952

Website:

http://www.ursulakleguin.com

Editorial Reviews

Alexander Furby is a wonderful kitten, afraid of nothing. One day he goes exploring, and wanders a little too far. He ends up stuck in a tree, finally afraid. Eventually he is rescued by Jane, one of the Catwings. The Catwings are fantastic creatures, all cat except they can fly like birds. Alexander doesn't know the way to his house, so he joins the Catwings in their home. Eventually he repays Jane's kindness in rescuing him by helping her to overcome a long-held fear of her own. The happy endings multiply when Alexander is reunited with his family. This third installment in the Catwings series easily stands alone. The charming tone and detailed drawings are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, as is the small size of the book.

Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen

Gr 2-4-The third installment in the saga introduces a kitten whose family thinks he is so remarkable that they call him "Wonderful Alexander.'' One morning, he sets out to explore the world. But soon he finds himself stuck in a tree, and is rescued by Jane, a black kitten with wings. She leads him to her home, and there he meets the other Catwings. His rescuer can only say the words ``Me'' and, when she's frightened, ``Hate.'' (Readers of Catwings Return [Orchard, 1989] will recall that she had a terrifying experience that left her mute.) Alexander is adopted by the Catwings' human caretaker and finds himself mulling over how to thank Jane for bringing him his good fortune. When he helps her overcome her fear of speaking, all agree that he is truly wonderful. Alexander's appearance in this charming series does more than tie up the loose threads of Jane's muteness; it also sets the stage for further adventures. The story is illustrated with delicate pen-and-ink drawings colored in soft, earth-tone washes. This pocket-sized title will appeal to early chapter-book readers, fans of the earlier books, and cat lovers in general.
Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL

School Library Journal

The third book in the Catwings series features a pampered but adventurous kitten named Alexander who leaves his comfortable home to explore the world. He's soon cold, frightened, and lost in a forest, until Jane, one of the flying cats, rescues him. In gratitude, he later helps Jane regain her speech by encouraging and even bullying her into talking about a traumatic experience in her youth. Although the writing is clear and fluid, the story is less satisfying than earlier Catwings books. Perhaps it's easier to accept a cat who's part bird than a cat who's part psychoanalyst. Still, this sequel has a place in libraries, where the earlier books have a following. S. D. Schindler's delicate ink-and-watercolor artwork continues its old enchantment, giving convincing form to the flying cats and grave beauty to the fantasy.

Carolyn Phelan